Table Selection in No Limit Hold'em

Table selection for No-Limit Holdem players is a key concept that can quickly lead to increased profits. While table selection does not have the glamour of complex moves or advanced hand reading strategy - it is a simple and effective way to see your bankroll grow.

Good table selection for No-Limit Holdem involves more than just finding the largest pot size. The best table is one that is right for your individual style of No-Limit Holdem play. This article covers the basics of table selection – pot size and players per flop – and then covers the important aspects of position of empty seats relative to certain types of opponent.

Table Stats

Most online poker rooms display statistics for the ‘average pot size’ and ‘percentage of players to each flop’ along side the list of available tables. This is the starting point for table selection. While individually these statistics give you an impression of the play at each table it is the interaction between the two that you should consider.

Players Per Flop

For example, 2 tables may have an identical average pot size of $10. The first has an average of 3 players seeing each flop. The second has 7 players (sometimes marked as 70%) to each flop. These tables appear to be characterized by completely different styles. The first is likely to feature tight players who are very aggressive with their betting, expect to see showdowns between strong hands involving very few players. The second has most of the money going in before the flop – expect a loose but passive table here.

Selecting the right table is all about finding a game that suits your personal No-Limit Holdem style. If you enjoy post flop play and hand reading then selecting a table with wild and aggressive opponents may not be for you. If you play only premium starting hands then that same wild table may be very profitable indeed.

Seat Location

The next step in table selection for No-Limit Holdem games is to bring up the candidate tables and assess where the empty seats are located. The key here is to look at the players in the 2 seats either side of the empty spot.

The question to ask is whether any of these players are particularly loose and / or aggressive. The reason for doing this is to ensure that you will be able to play your style of No-Limit Holdem effectively. For example, if you like to see many flops from good position then your game may be hampered by loose aggressive opponents to your left – you will always face the danger of a re-raise before the flop.

If your game is tight and aggressive then loose players to your left may be an advantage – since the rest of the table will have to react to this players raise before you make a decision on your next action. Conversely the wild players on your right can give certain advantages, especially if you are prepared to isolate them with a timely re-raise.

Continue Your Assessment

The final aspect of Table Selection in No-Limit Holdem is to re-assess your table at regular intervals. After 20 minutes at a table some of the players are likely to have changed. Make sure that your criteria for joining are still valid by asking the simple question, ‘Is this table still profitable for my personal style of play?’ Moving table when the answer is, ‘no’, can further increase your profits over time.

To summarize, Table Selection for No-Limit Holdem is an important skill practiced by most profitable poker players. The pot size and players per flop give you an indication of what to expect from a table. Candidate tables should then be assessed in relation to your preferred style to ensure that they are profitable. Reassessing every 20 minutes will ensure that the table is still right for you.

Ready to Play?

Now that you know all about choosing the right table for your style of play, read our best site for no limit Hold'em page to find out the best poker site for you to make money.

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